Chapter 544: Pride Goes Before a Fall

Marquis Gu couldn’t help but frown upon hearing this.

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "It’s quite the coincidence that you and your third brother have similar tastes in food, though it’s quite different from your Sixth Brother. Is it because both of you practice martial arts?"

Gu Baoshu thought for a moment and said, "I’m not sure about that, perhaps it’s as Third Sister-in-law said."

The frown on Marquis Gu’s face relaxed as he chuckled, "Yuan’er always knows what I like. I’ve been hungry for two days, so I need to have a good meal."

Qin Yuan hurriedly instructed someone to serve the meal.

Marquis Gu took the bowl and started eating, and Gu Baoshu was equally famished.

The siblings ate in silence, sweeping the dishes on the table clean as if a storm had passed.

Having only taken a few bites, Qin Yuan said, "...Have the kitchen bring up some more dishes."

Gu Baoshu said, "Third Sister-in-law, bring up some more of those meat rolls, I can still eat three or four more."

Marquis Gu looked over.

Gu Baoshu glared, "I’ve only eaten as much from you, how can you be so unwilling?"

Marquis Gu said, "I also want those meat rolls, bring me ten."

Gu Baoshu snorted and said no more.

Observing the two siblings, Qin Yuan could only feel a headache coming on.

Later, when Gu Baoshu wanted another bowl of soup, Marquis Gu took the bowl and drank it clean to the bottom.

Gu Baoshu was annoyed and said, "Is it possible to drink me, your third brother, into poverty?"

Marquis Gu said, "I just don’t want to let you drink it. You’re out horsing around outside day after day, thinking I don’t know what you’re up to just because I’m away. Why did you go out dressed like a boy today?"

Gu Baoshu said, "I did it all for Third Sister-in-law."

Qin Yuan, somewhat amused, asked, "How was it for me?"

Gu Baoshu confidently explained, "The people from the Xu family have been bullying you, so I had to stand up for my Third Sister-in-law. Besides, Brother Heng is your brother, and he risked everything to protect Mr. Qin. I couldn’t just sit by; I only lent a helping hand."

Gu Jinghui said, "You don’t need to worry, I’ve arranged for someone to keep an eye on the Qins. They didn’t show up when they saw you step in."

Gu Baoshu pleaded, "Anyway, I’m about to leave. Besides, they don’t know who I am. I’m currently using the identity of Young Master Qi Gu outside; everyone thinks I’m a pampered young son of a wealthy merchant, idle and only interested in playing games and such. Just let me have some fun."

Qin Yuan asked, "You said you promised Brother Heng to play kickball on the Mid-Autumn Festival with this identity?"

Gu Baoshu nodded, "Yes, with me there, how could Brother Heng be bullied? Besides, I’m really eager to meet that Xu Tang. Last time, Xiao Dong said his moves were very treacherous, even wearing shoes with iron spikes, injuring people’s tendons. I plan to teach him a lesson."

Give Xu Tang a lesson?!

Gu Jinghui felt it wasn’t impossible and immediately changed his mind, saying, "Your martial arts have improved somewhat recently, but be careful and never underestimate your opponents."

Gu Baoshu said, "I know. They couldn’t beat me today and are planning to fight again tomorrow, likely inviting Xu Tang. When the time comes, let Xu Tang see what I’m capable of."

Marquis Gu relaxed his tone, "Take care of it as you see fit."

Seeing that her third brother didn’t object further, Gu Baoshu was delighted. She chatted for a while longer before going to find her Sixth Brother to share the good news.

As soon as she left, Marquis Gu said, "Finally, she’s gone."

Qin Yuan chuckled, "You find her annoying now, but when she goes to study at the White Crane Academy, you’ll probably miss her."

"Ha, who would miss her? Without her, things would be a bit quieter."

Marquis Gu was indifferent.

Qin Yuan asked, "Why are you sending her to the White Crane Academy all of a sudden?"

Marquis Gu was animated, "Are you worried for the scholars at the White Crane Academy?"

Qin Yuan burst out laughing, "What kind of brother speaks of his sister like that?"

"I’m being quite gentle by saying this. She won’t suffer a loss, so I’m not reassured unless she goes out," Gu Jinghui said. "That’s also why Mother agreed."

If trouble arises, there’s always someone to clean up the mess.

Qin Yuan said, "Though Baoshu is impulsive, she’s not without some strategy. Perhaps in two years she’ll gain broader horizons and change her temperament. She says you and Mother must have something urgent which is why you’re sending her off to study."

Marquis Gu sighed, "Didn’t expect she could think that far."

Qin Yuan frowned, amused and annoyed, "Don’t look down on people all the time, pride leads to a fall, don’t you know?"

This struck Marquis Gu, and after a moment, he said, "You are right. Initially, I thought Mrs. Zhao was a vulnerable widow with no support..."

Qin Yuan quickly asked, "Did you find any trace of Mrs. Zhao?"

Marquis Gu slowly shook his head.

Qin Yuan furrowed her brow, hesitating to speak. Marquis Gu then said, "Earlier, I suddenly thought of the Crown Prince. I used to think he was so frail; it would be remarkable if he lived to ascend the throne without causing trouble. Who knew Empress Lin and the Crown Prince would cause so much trouble."

Qin Yuan remained silent.

Marquis Gu continued, "Back then, Empress Lin was never taken seriously by the Former Crown Prince and his companions... Pride leads to a fall, and I must remind myself never to underestimate anyone."

Qin Yuan cautiously asked, "Is Baoshu being sent to study related to the Crown Prince?"

Marquis Gu nodded, "Prince Qi received news that the Crown Prince’s selection of a consort has been stalled, and Empress Lin gave Princess Fuyun to Zhang Hanlin in a bid to suppress Prince Qi. But Prince Qi took this chance to ally with his relatives in Jiangxi, so Empress Lin set her sights on Baoshu."

Qin Yuan sighed, "Like a centipede, dead but not stiff, Prince Qi still has capable people in the palace."

Marquis Gu nodded and whispered, "Old Wang, Dai Sheng, and others are Prince Qi’s people."

Seeing how assertively he spoke, Qin Yuan knew Prince Qi had laid all his cards on the table with Marquis Gu, and Marquis Gu no longer deliberately distanced himself but instead formed an alliance with Prince Qi.

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Yuan also felt it was the best move for now and said, "If you always remember this, you’ll have a better chance of winning against future adversaries."

Marquis Gu stood up, stretched, and said in a weary voice, "Yuan’er, I’ve been running around for two days without sleep, and now that I’m full, I’m sleepy. I need to have a good rest, so I won’t keep you any longer."

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "Go to sleep, I’ve already asked Mo Zhu to make the bed."

Marquis Gu slightly tapped the tip of Qin Yuan’s delicate nose and said, "I know you have a lot to ask, we’ll discuss it slowly when I wake up."

Qin Yuan hurriedly pushed him, "Go and rest."

Marquis Gu didn’t move and asked, "When will you sleep?"

Qin Yuan’s face turned red, and she said, "Naturally, I’ll sleep at my usual hour. You go ahead first, I’ll come once I’m done."

Only then did Marquis Gu climb into bed, and not long after, soft snoring could be heard within the curtains.

Qin Yuan was lost in thought for a while, about to call someone, when she heard the sound of quiet sobbing outside the window.